Guy Ritchie's 'noisy' pub faces inquiry

Film director Guy Ritchie's pub could face a review of its licence because of noise.

Westminster City Council used a microphone to monitor noise outside The Punchbowl in central London following dozens of complaints from residents.

Its initial results found levels rose when people were drinking outside the pub but dropped when security staff shepherded them inside at 9pm.

Steve Harrison, the council's assistant director of community protection, said: "Preliminary results do show a rise in noise while people are drinking outside the pub and this tails off at 9pm when the pub's security staff bring customers inside.

"Officers will now begin an in-depth analysis of the results and consider whether the rise in noise levels - and the fact they do fall quickly after 9pm - are significant enough to cause a potential nuisance.

"If noise constitutes a nuisance, council officers, or nearby residents, can call for an official review of the licence."

If a review takes place, the council's independent licensing sub-committee could revoke or suspend the licence but it is thought it would be more likely to add a condition limiting outdoor drinking.

Westminster City Council has received 37 complaints about noise from The Punchbowl since Ritchie bought it in March last year.

It attached the microphone to a neighbouring home for two weeks to measure decibel levels.

Managers at the pub have already tried to reduce the disturbance to neighbouring residents by bringing customers inside at 9pm.

They have also introduced door supervisors to help reduce noise outside the premises.